Takahiro Iwasaki, new installation work at　European Capital of Culture: Oulu 2026

The European Capital of Culture initiative was launched in 1985 at the proposal of Melina Mercouri—then Greece's Minister of Culture—based on the principle that "true European integration requires cultural understanding."　A major project in which the EU selects one to three cities each year to host a wide range of cultural and artistic events—such as theater, music, and visual arts—intensively over the course of a year. It also serves as the model for Japan’s "Culture City of East Asia" project.

In 2026, the cities of Oulu—a key urban center in northern Finland—and Trenčín in Slovakia have been designated as Capitals of Culture. Oulu, the setting for the artwork featured here, is a port city situated where rivers flow into the Gulf of Bothnia, surrounded by vast forests.

Oulu 2026 hosts a variety of cultural events, including the outdoor exhibition "Climate Clock," which focuses on the theme of global environmental change. In addition to Takahiro Iwasaki, a total of six artists—including Ranti Bam (Nigeria), Gabriel Kuri (Mexico), and Superflex (Denmark)—have planned works intended for permanent installation at various locations throughout the city of Oulu.

The location assigned to Iwasaki was on the banks of the Kiiminkijoki River in the village of Ylikiiminki. The Kiiminkijoki is a pristine river stretching approximately 170 kilometers, retaining precious, untouched natural beauty; Ylikiiminki itself is an area where "wood tar"—used to waterproof, preserve, and insect-proof the hulls of boats navigating the river and sea—was once produced.

Learnig the history of the area, the artist commissioned a local shipwright to build a massive barrel. Meanwhile, the artist considered what would be visible when peering inside, creating intricate, snowflake-like pieces based on architectural motifs—such as the Irukiminki and other churches in Oulu. Each piece is unique in shape. When looking through a small window in the barrel, a world unfolds within the darkness—a realm formed by snowflakes cascading down from a starry sky.

ArtTank supported the artist Takahiro Iwasaki throughout the process, ranging from experiments on how the work would appear to its final installation.

information of the site

exhibition period：　Open to public from June 13 (permanent installation)

location：Kirkkosuvanto Beach, Ylikiiminki, Kirkkoranta 18, 91300 Oulu

work information: Barrel: φ 1560 mm x hight 2900mm, 112 pieces of snowflakes with the form of Finnish architecture

official website , artist's interview　: https://share.google/HgDTdmpXgdmTucZZg